Art Therapy

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy, where art-making and the creative process are used to help explore the client’s thoughts, feelings and emotions. The overall aim of art therapy is to effect change and growth on a personal level through the use of art materials, in a safe and facilitating environment.

Children are naturally drawn to art-making, and this provides them with an alternative, more spontaneous means of communication, through which they can explore the issues, problems or concerns which have bought them into therapy.

In an art therapy session the child can choose from a range of art and craft materials, such as paints, clay, crayons, sand, felt-tips etc. The therapist does not analyse or interpret the art, but works with the child to explore its meaning and how it relates to the child’s personal experiences.

Art therapy can be offered to both groups and individual children. An assessment with an art therapist will help decide which would best meet the needs of the child. Sessions usually take place once a week and last around 50 minutes.

Who Can Benefit From Art Therapy?

Art therapy has proved beneficial to children experiencing many different kinds of challenging experiences including: